They're Not Like Us

Chapter 8 Annette Has A Confidant

The sound of musical chimes can be heard coming through the sound system. Terri picks up the remote and pushes a button. The TV screen/computer monitor/doorbell security camera comes to life. Annette Crownover is facing the east door camera and holding up a bottle of red wine in one hand and a bottle of white in the other. She does not see anyone, but she hears a buzz that tells her the door has been unlocked. As she reaches for the knob, she hears Terri's voice, asking her to come in and join her on the upstairs patio.

Annette walked in, then over to the dual staircase, and chose a side. Walking up, reaching the second floor, she passes three or four rooms, then she steps onto the patio. While she was in route Terri, took out of the bar fridge a Charcuterie Board that was filled with grapes, sausage, nuts, olives, and all kinds of cheeses. It had been prepared by the housekeeper before she left.

Since this was not their first one of these late afternoon get-togethers Annette knew that the wine glass with ice belongs to her. She likes Pino Grigio white wine over ice and Terri will be having Merlot red wine at room temperature.

After complimenting each other's outfit choice, their hair, and their body maintenance program, they took their seats. They both ignored, what were about half a dozen chairs placed around that upstairs outdoor family room. Since what had become their norm of very deep and very private conversations, they like sitting side by side on the sofa.

After taking a sip of wine, Annette leaned back and took in the view, and said, "I love your and Deidra's view of the canal. We have a nice view of the forest park and that's okay, but I love seeing the water."

Terri responded, "I like the water also, but you have to admit that forest park does look good."

"Yeah, you're right, there is not a bad view around here for miles."

There is another pause then Annette continues, "Can you keep a secret?"

Terri said, "Yes, I can, but knowing your secret is not important to me. So, if tomorrow morning you will wake up regretting telling something that you wish you had not told, please keep it to yourself."

Smiling Annette said, "That is exactly the attitude that I was hoping to see. I may not have used those same words, but you nailed it. I have been wanting and real friend and confidant since high school. Now that I know you are the kind of person that I thought you were, you are going to hear this whether you want to or not."

Both women laughed out loud. Terri waited and Annette put her words together.

"In previous conversations that we had, I told you and everyone else that Ted and I went to high school together, that is true. The part that is not true is when I implied that we were friendly. The first one-on-one conversation that we ever had was not in high school. I had been working full time and he had been off to college for two and a half years. At that time in my life I was a greedy gold digger, and not a very good one. To me, he was an invisible nerd, and I was an arrogant bitch looking for a rich guy that would either marry me or knock me up.

I found that guy. I was using my employer's benefits program of free travel if an empty seat was available. I was at a concert in Sao Paulo Brazil when I met him. I told him my name was Annette Fowler the daughter of a Dallas oil man. Those were lies of course. When it was his turn to introduce himself, he did not lie. He said he was Alister Whitworth, the son of Whitworth Industries owners, and his parents were worth millions.

After that trip, we would meet each other and have sex all over the world, Rio, Mykonos, Santorini, and mostly the South of France. He and his friends were just traveling, partying, and having a good time. To me, it was a job. I was at work trying to get pregnant.